Jeremiah 18:20 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 18:20 mean?

Jeremiah 18:20 describes Jeremiah asking God why people are trying to harm him when he has only tried to do them good, reminding God that he has prayed for them and tried to protect them from God’s anger. Jeremiah is troubled that his kindness is being repaid with evil intentions.

In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking directly to God about his situation. The people of Judah, whom Jeremiah has interceded for, are plotting against him—described as digging a pit for his soul, meaning they are setting a trap for his life. Jeremiah points out that he has stood before God to speak good on their behalf, asking God to remember his efforts to turn away divine wrath from them.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 18:20

• "evil" (רַע, raʿ): This word means harm or bad things, not just moral evil. Jeremiah is asking if harm should be given in return for good.
• "recompensed" (שָׁלַם, shalam): This word means to repay or return. The sense is of a transaction—Jeremiah wonders if it is right for good to be "paid back" with harm.
• "digged" (כָּרָה, karah) and "pit" (שַׁחַת, shachat): These words together paint a picture of someone digging a trap or grave, a common image for plotting someone's downfall.
• "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): This word often means "life" or "self," so the pit is for Jeremiah’s very life, not just his feelings.
• "Remember" (זָכַר, zakar): Jeremiah is asking God to actively recall his faithful actions, not just to have a passing thought.

Why Jeremiah 18:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that Jeremiah’s suffering is not because of wrongdoing, but because he tried to help the very people who now oppose him.
• The verse highlights the personal cost of being a faithful messenger, especially when the message is unpopular.
• Jeremiah’s appeal to God’s memory connects to a larger theme in the book: God’s awareness of justice and injustice, and the prophet’s honest struggle with his calling.